Best of Aviation

Looking south over the eastern tip of Long Island and the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean.

Although the Cessna 172 cruises at a relatively slow 115 knots (130 MPH) it is possible to fly it long distances without too much discomfort. I intend to buy a much faster airplane as soon as finances permit.

Circumnavigating restricted airspace is a piece of cake with advanced avionics systems pointing the way. Just stay clear of the depicted boundary, make sure you are over or under the vertical boundary of the airspace, and you're in great shape.

This was taken on while stopping over on Hilton Head island to refuel and wait out a line of weather. It's a beautiful place to fly, as long as you pay attention to noise abatement procedures as the locals don't like airplane noise as much as pilots do.

The Grand Strand airport in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is a preferred fuel stop on trips up and down the coast. Taken after departure climbing up to 7000 feet southbound enroute to Hilton Head Island.

The Grand Strand airport in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I've overnighted a few times here and there's plenty to do close by.

One of the better features we've added to the aircraft is traffic detection, enabled. It's already saved our bacon a few times.

Snapped this picture a bit later than I wanted to, but the Cessna 421 is fast enough, even during takeoff, that it tends to get out of frame quickly.

Most privately owned aircraft seem to hibernate with their owners during the winter months, but if you can tolerate being cold during the preflight, the toasty cabin heat can make flying during winter months a beautiful experience.